How do i deal with <span title="unpleasantness/bitchiness/gossip">unpleasantness/bitchiness...</span> at work?

Question

I am a waitress over the summer and it is very bitchy. I am 23 and most of my co-workers are ages 16-19, which probably does not help! I avoid the worst offenders and hold back if I'm with people who are slating one of our colleagues, as I think it's childish and cowardly and I would like to think I treat others as I would like to be treated!

Last weekend I went out drinking with some colleagues, and one drunkenly accused me of spreading it around that this girl, Becky, is a thief. I have never said any such thing and corrected Drunk Girl as soon as she said it. Then I dropped it, thinking this to be the best way of looking as innocent as I am.

However I got an irate phonecall today off Becky - the story had got back to her. I told her it's a lie and I want to get to the bottom of it, but when I asked her to tell me who had been spreading this stuff - so I could confront them like an adult - she refused, saying she doesn't want to make things any worse.

So I can't confront the purpetrator and have no way of proving my innocence. I dunno why anyone would do this to me - I'm nice to everyone (even those I secretly dislike) and work hard. I wonder if it's because I'm old schoolfriends with the duty manager... Work is going to be awful over the weekend. How do I handle it?

Answer 1

Just say it how it is. Say that you didn&#039;t say it and for them to just drop it and if they don&#039;t then to stop being so childish.

Answer 2

Go to work, do your job and go home.  These girls sound pretty childish to me - they will probably move on to something else next week.  

Answer 3

If it was where I worked and this was going onthe manager would get everyone together for a &quot;huddle&quot; and explain that she knew certain unpleasantries/disagreements were taking place and she would try to resolve it between everybody. this gives a good basis for people to get things off their chest as adults without a slanging match occuring and usually this clears the air. I would speak to the manager and ensure that the staff know that she/he will act accordingly regardless that they knew you from school